“You may be wondering: Why an Anthology on Trauma-Sensitive Practices? Simply put, there’s a lack of data, support, and practical guidance on working safely with and for people who have experienced trauma, across every stage of the process.”
Ayhan AlmanClinical Director
Submit Your Chapter: Anthology on Trauma-Sensitive Practices
The writing process, while deeply satisfying, often requires isolation and intense focus. After publishing A Practical Guide to Trauma-Sensitive Research, I realised that writing alone wasn’t enough.
Through my exchanges with Femma, Clinical Director and Co-Founder of the Patterns Institute, it became clear that our mission was not just to document trauma-sensitive research but to translate it into practical, experiential learning. As our reach grew, we connected with more professionals across the field and saw a gap. While we approach this work as researchers and clinicians, trauma sensitivity must extend beyond research into every aspect of system design.
This is why we invite the Patterns Institute community and beyond to join us in co-creating this anthology. Together, we can expand trauma-sensitive practices across every stage of the process. We are considering three broad areas:
1.
Trauma-Sensitivity Beyond Research
We at the Patterns Institute have primarily focused on research, ensuring trauma-sensitive engagement and protecting participants. However, there is a need to expand this work into other areas of UX, including design, content, management, strategy, and even coding. Due to our own research background, we recognise our bias and invite those who have been actively writing and educating on these topics to contribute.
2.
Trauma-Sensitivity in Organisations
Beyond UX, workplace structures, leadership approaches, and internal policies all influence how trauma-sensitive principles are applied—or overlooked—in organisational settings. Field theory suggests that the background shapes what is possible in the foreground, meaning our actions and decisions are deeply context-dependent. This highlights why organisations themselves must be trauma-sensitive in order to create and sustain trauma-sensitive services and systems. We welcome contributions from those experienced in these areas, including case studies and theories with practical applications for building trauma-sensitive organisations.
3.
Trauma-Sensitivity in Systems (System-Generated Trauma)
Finally, trauma does not exist in isolation—it is often created and reinforced by the very systems people rely on. Many public and private institutions operate under strain, unintentionally generating harm through policies, bureaucracy, and exclusionary design. The challenge is to move beyond addressing symptoms of trauma and instead preventing harm at the root. We invite perspectives on how trauma-sensitive approaches can shape policy, governance, and large-scale systems to reduce system-generated trauma.
If you’d like to participate, start with a proposal outlining your chapter and what it will offer to those looking to learn from your expertise. We accept any format that works for you, as long as it stays within 500 words. If you already have something written that you’d like to publish, please submit a 500-word summary.
We welcome both academic and professional contributions, especially from those with compelling case studies that demonstrate the impact of their work. We not only accept but actively encourage the use of AI as an assistive tool, particularly for those who may face barriers to writing, such as dyslexia or other conditions that could otherwise silence your voice. Contributions from intersectional perspectives are specifically welcome.
If you’d like to participate but prefer not to write, we also welcome those interested in peer reviewing chapters. Our peer review process is about ensuring accuracy and clarity, not gatekeeping. We are not an academic institution, nor do we seek to become one.
Whether you’re contributing a chapter, a case study, or offering your insights as a reviewer, your voice matters. To submit, please contact us through our submission form. We look forward to hearing from you!